Italian Heritage Parade Kicks Off Sunday In East Haven

EAST HAVEN, CT —With what forecasters predict will be a lovely autumn day, the town hosts the Italian Heritage Parade on Sunday. Starting in the area of 540 Main St., at around 12:30 p.m. the parade will proceed down Main Street and end on the Town Green. The parade's Grand Marshall is Raymond Pompano.

"I encourage people to come out and watch the parade, which hasn't been hosted by East Haven since 2015," East Haven town official Benivegna said. The Assistant Director of Administration and Management, Benivegna was honored this week for her work on the Greater New Haven Italian-American Heritage Committee.

East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora said he shares with the town its "great pride" as parade host.

"As a proud Italian, I look forward to not only hosting this event, but also showcasing our community," he said.

East Haven police shared information about the parade route and what temporary traffic detours motorists should expect.

"In anticipation of the Italian Heritage Parade, being held on Sunday, October 9th 2022, we want our residents to be aware of the temporary traffic detours that will be in place between the hours of 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM. The majority of the parade will take place on Main Street. For the duration of the event, Main Street will be closed from Charter Oak Avenue to the Town Green. Motorists coming from the south section of Town traveling north on Hemingway Avenue can exit Town via Short Beach Road to Branford or will be detoured west on Dodge Avenue to Robert Drive to Burr Street to James Street to Charter Oak Avenue where they can reach Main Street and travel west towards New Haven or Frontage Road. Messina Drive and Kimberly Avenue can travel north on High Street or exit to Saltonstall Parkway. If residents need to reach points south of Main Street, they will have to utilize Frontage Road, to Main Street, to Charter Oak Avenue to James Street to Burr Street to Robert Drive to Dodge Avenue. Main Street from Charter Oak Avenue east to the Town Green will not be accessible once the roadway closes for the parade. As always, we thank our residents for their patience during this temporary inconvenience."

CT Transit also noted that some transportation routes will be affected.

Meet the Grand Marshall Raymond Pompano

"Raymond Pompano graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1965. Just two short weeks after graduation, he began working for Sargent Manufacturing Company as a polisher and buffer. Six months later, he was drafted into the US Army and served from 1966-1968. After the army, Ray returned to work at Sargent's and became a state certified tool and diemaker through an apprenticeship program. As Ray became passionate about workers rights and active in his union, UE Local 243, he studied Labor Law and Labor History at South Central Community college. He was an integral part of his Union and was elected President in 1984, a position he held for 31 years. No local UE president has held the position longer. Through his leadership, Ray is credited with taking a low wage shop with little benefits to one of the most competitively paid private workplaces with excellent benefits in the country.

Ray left his post as president only when he retired in 2016 after 51 years of service to Sargents. He was then elected Northeast Regional President of the United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America, which represented thousands of workers throughout the New England States. In 1997 Raymond was also awarded the United Way Community Service award for his support of programs that benefit the less fortunate.

Ray has been a proud East Haven resident for 44 years. He and his wife, Angela, have three children, Renee, Raymond D. and Ronnette. They also have 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

He has been active in the Democratic Party for many years and has had the privilege of serving as a commissioner under three administrations, Mayor Hank Luzzi, Mayor April Capone and the current Mayor, the honorable Joe Carfora."

For more information about the parade, click here.